Williamsburg, Virginia Restaurants

With its eclectic decor -- folk art, mosaic tiles, tin ceiling -- the Blue Talon Bistro offers an inviting atmosphere for parents and kids plus food that delights. Chef David Everett calls his fare "serious comfort food." Staples such as burgers, roast chicken, meatloaf, and hefty mac and cheese (kids notice right away that this plate didn't start with a Kraft packet) are terrific, as are the entrees for "grown-ups" that may include roasted scallops, lamb shanks with apricot glaze and grilled tuna. The lunch menu offers salads and Panini's. The bistro serves a full breakfast of omelets, freshly baked pastries and other fare. On summer Sunday evenings, free family movies at sunset in Market Square are shown just outside the restaurant.

Dining at one of Colonial Williamsburg's four taverns is a must-do even if the food is more adequate than admirable. The wooden tables aglow in candlelight and the servers attired in 18th-century clothing make it easy for you to imagine what it was like in the 1770's. Reserve your table well in advance for lunch or dinner at these popular taverns.

Although some menu items remain the same at all four taverns, each restaurant has its own slant. For those kids who eat up the atmosphere but not the entree, the taverns have children's menus with hamburgers and other child-pleasing fare.

Christiana Campbell's Tavern (120 Waller Street, across from the Capitol) specializes in seafood such as scallops, crab cakes and sherried shrimp.

In the tradition of a period chop house, the King's Arms Tavern (400 E. Duke of Gloucester St, near the Capitol) serves roast beef, pork, duck and the tavern's signature peanut soup.

Chowning's Tavern, (100 E. Duke of Gloucester St, near Market Square) features pit barbecue as well as turkey legs and beef brisket.
Comfort food at Shields Tavern (417 E. Duke of Gloucester Street) includes buttermilk fried oyster, seafood gumbo, buffalo stew and vegetable wraps.

On a sweet spring evening, it's fun to sit outside on the picnic tables and chow down on the pulled pork barbeque sandwiches at this moderately priced restaurant. Inside or out, Pierce's is casual. Food experts have rated Pierce's, a local legend, among the top 100 barbeque joints in America. Pierce's secret is its sauce, created in Tennessee and carried to Virginia more than 35 years ago when Pierce's first opened. For those who don't eat pork, there's barbeque chicken, and the kids' menu features hot dogs and chicken tenders.

The tagline at Retro's is "good eats." At this self-service cafe, line up for hot dogs, burgers, draft root beer, fries and frozen custard. Take-out orders are welcome. This inexpensive cafe is open for lunch and dinner, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Located in Historic Yorktown's Riverwalk Landing, a riverfront complex of shops and a park, the Riverwalk Restaurant and its Rivah Cafe, have enviable water views, both from the dining room and the cafe's deck. The food's okay, but the river views are better. Nevertheless, this is a popular place for families to eat in Yorktown. The children's menu serves crab cakes along with pizza, pasta and chicken tenders. For adults, there are daily fish specials and vegetarian entrees, as well as beef, lamb and sandwiches. Hungry kids will be happy enough here, especially when boats dock at the pier.